Video: Young entrepreneurs go head to head

Ten teams of young entrepreneurs from schools in Stone and across the borough took part in the Young Enterprise Trade Fair in Stone town centre on Saturday 1st February.

The teams showcased products they had developed and marketed over the past four months, some taking advantage of targeted offers for Valentine’s Day and using the fair as an introductory opportunity to approach established businesses in Stone.

“It was bitterly cold on Saturday, a credit to all the teams for braving the weather and putting on a positive face,” said Stafford and Stone Young Enterprise Area Board Chairman Stuart Walton. “They all did a terrific job and added quite a bit to their bottom line profit.”

The teams were judged on financial information, the presentation of their stand and product display with key evidence of progress required, and an interview with a panel of judges.

Team Dynamic from Wolgarston High School in Penkridge came first with their creative iPad stands, followed closely by Team Ignite from Alleyne’s Academy in Stone with their portable phone charging stand. In third place was Team Zoo Beadz from St Dominic’s Girls School in Brewood with their glamorous ‘zoo bead’ bracelets.

Team Dynamic managing director Bradley Clemson said: “The team are all proud of their achievement and we’re even more determined and motivated to go forward.”

Here’s Katie, managing director of Team Ignite…

And here’s a representative from the St Dominic’s Priory School team…

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You can see lots more videos from Joshua Cope with all of the teams taking part on his YouTube channel HERE. You can also see Josh’s photos from the day on his website HERE

The judges on the day – Roger Mason, Chris Lees, John Haine and Lauren Penny – were impressed by the professionalism of the teams and the innovation of some of the products.

The Trade Fair, sponsored by Stone mobile telecoms business m-viron, is part of a calendar of events aimed at building and testing the business knowledge of the participating students. The next key milestone in the competition will be the submission of an official company report, followed by the formal area presentation evening on 3rd April.

In past years, the local area teams have produced exceptional results, with last year’s area winners Equipo from Alleyne’s Academy reaching the national finals, as did Versaleaf from Alleyne’s in a previous year.

Anyone interested in supporting Young Enterprise can contact Janis Wilcox on 07960 055448.